Sascha Goonewardena, M.D. has done two years research in the MNIMBS
nanomedicine program as part of his specialization in Cardiovascular Medicine. He is still embedded in the MNIMBS lab that supports his research efforts.

On December 13, 2010, Dr. Goonewardena was awarded $50,000 by the CVC Inaugural Grant fund for his proposal titled: Molecular imaging of inflammatory macrophages in vascular disease using a nanoparticle platform. The goal is to use folate targeted dendrimer nanodevices to gain fundamental insights into the pathophysiology and role of inflammatory macrophages in vascular diseases such as aortic aneurysm and atherosclerosis.

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide. During the last few decades, major advancements have been made in treating several forms of cardiovascular disease. From angioplasty to statin therapies, treatments have reduced the morbidity and mortality associated with cardiovascular disease. However, further advances have been hindered by systemic toxicities coupled with a limited understanding of the molecular mechanisms that mediate these disease processes.

The field of dendrimer-based nanomedicine has evolved rapidly over the last decade. Dendrimer molecules can perform several simultaneous functions, including targeted delivery of specific therapeutics and molecules, real-time visualization of dynamic homeostatic mechanisms, and in vivo sensing of diverse cellular processes. The multifunctional properties of dendrimer molecules coupled with their nano-scale proportions allow for targeted delivery and molecular monitoring with the specificity and biocompatibility enjoyed by endogenous substances. These technologies have the potential to overcome traditional barriers that currently limit our ability to understand, diagnose, and treat cardiovascular disease.

As our understanding of cardiovascular diseases has advanced, it has been recognized that much of the pathology stems from vascular dysfunction – both as an indirect facilitator and a direct mediator. Because of the central role of the vascular system in cardiovascular disease process, an understanding and an ability to monitor and leverage the molecular mechanisms of angiogenesis would prove beneficial in studying and treating cardiovascular disease processes.

Integrin adhesion molecules play a critical role in regulating cell-cell interactions and endothelial function, especially with regards to angiogenesis. Specifically, αvβ3integrin is found on the luminal surface of endothelial cells during angiogenesis. Polyamidine (PAMAM) dendrimers with the Arg-Gly Asp(RGD) motif that binds to the αvβ3 integrin provide us with the ability to monitor dynamically and target pathological processes that involve angiogenesis. By using this and other PAMAM dendrimer constructs, we hope to further our understanding of cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis, heart failure, and myocardial infarction and hope to deliver targeted therapies in an efficient manner while simultaneously minimizing systemic toxicities that characterize current therapeutics.

Lisa Prevette, Ph.D. graduated from Transylvania University in Lexington, KY in 2001 with B.A. degrees in Chemistry and Mathematics. After a year with Eli Lilly, she returned to academia to pursue her Ph.D in Chemistry at the University of Cincinnati under the guidance of Professor Theresa M. Reineke studying the mechanisms of interaction between polymers and nucleic acids. Earning her doctorate in 2008, Lisa is now a Michigan Chemistry Fellow working with the Banaszak Holl group in collaboration with many distinguished researchers in MNIMBS nanomedicine program, and Professors Ramamoorthy and Al-Hashimi on determining the structure and dynamics of polymer-DNA complexes and their interactions with cell membranes using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. CV

Dr. Prevette's research at the
University of St. Thomas - Minnesota is in the area of biophysical chemistry, studying the interactions between biomaterials and biomolecules. In particular, we are interested in interactions that occur at the cell surface, leading to cellular internalization of drugs and genes for gene therapy. Students in the group learn about binding mechanisms, thermodynamics and kinetics, and the structure of biomolecules and their complexes.

Honors and Awards
Vaughan Symposium Poster Presentation Award University of Michigan, Aug 2009
Michigan Chemistry Fellows Postdoctoral Fellowship, November 2007
National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowship - declined October 2007
Harry B. Mark Research Award University of Cincinnati, May 2007
University Research Council Summer Fellowship University of Cincinnati, May 2007
Hillstrom Travel Award University of Cincinnati, May 2007
Procter & Gamble Research Fellowship, May 2006
Outstanding Poster Presentation UC Graduate Poster Forum, March 2006
Most Interesting Scientific Presentation BioOhio Poster Competition, October 2005
Henry Hochstetter Award for teaching excellence University of Cincinnati, May 2004
William T. Young Distinguished Scholar Transylvania University, 1997-2001.

Master of Science and Engineering
Ph.D. Biomedical Engineering
University of Michigan

Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Chemistry andMNIMBS

Instructor Rackham Certificate Program in NanoBiologySeminar

Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

Joey Wallace, Ph.D. graduated with a BSE in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Tech in 2002 before pursuing an MSE and Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Michigan. His Ph.D. work focused on mechanical and genetic influences on skeletal structure and function. He is currently a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Chemistry and is studying the internalization and trafficking of polycationic polymer-DNA polyplexes in cells using AFM and confocal microscopy as part of the MNIMBS
nanomedicine program. Beginning in September, he will begin using AFM to study ultrastructural changes in bone and connective tissues of mice afflicted with Osteogenesis Imperfecta. Dr. Wallace serves as the Instructor of the Rackham Certificate in NanoBiology Seminar. See also: the current Seminar course web site.

Dr. Joey Wallace is
now Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at IUPUI (Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis). His teaching responsibilities are primarily in the area of biomechanics. His primary research interests focus on understanding how biological and environmental factors influence the organization and assembly of bone. He has 3 main research goals: 1) Investigating hierarchical mechanisms of disease in mineralized tissues 2) Studying Age-related effects of mechanical loading on the bone extracellular matrix, and its relation to life-long fracture risk 3) Understanding nanoscale mechanisms of de novo tissue formation. Overall, by studying these systems, the goal of this work is to translate findings into rational and clinically-relevant diagnostic and treatment options for defects, damage and disease of musculoskeletal tissues.

During medical school and residency, Dr. Whitney Dunlap had the privilege of working for two nonprofit international health care organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa. Both organizations emphasized education of in-country healthcare providers in addition to treatment of patients. As a result, she developed an interest in healthcare delivery in the developing world and learned how efficient and pragmatic solutions can erode complex challenges. She is currently a fellow in the University of Michigan Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, and is developing a nanoemulsion-based intranasal pneumococcal vaccine. pneumococcus is a bacterial pathogen responsible for significant mortality worldwide. She hopes her work with MNIMBS will result in a more accessible vaccine that provides maximum immunity while eliminating the need for needle administration and cold chain storage.